Influence of thermocycling and disinfection on the color stability and hardness of thermoplastic sheets used for occlusal splint fabrication.

The aim of this study was to compare PETG/TPU (polyethylene terephthalate glycol/thermoplastic polyurethane) with PETG (polyethylene terephthalate glycol), based on color stability and microhardness. Sixty circular specimens (10 mm in diameter × 3 mm thick) were fabricated (30 PETG/TPU and 30 PETG). The specimens in both groups were submitted to 2000 thermal cycles in alternating baths of 60 seconds at 5°C ± 1°C and 55°C ± 1°C. The specimens were then divided into subgroups (n = 10) that were disinfected 15 minutes per day for 60 days in 1 of 3 solutions: liquid soap, 2% chlorhexidine, or Listerine. Color change (∆E*) and Knoop microhardness tests were performed at baseline (T0), after thermocycling (T1), and after disinfection (T2). Analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Tukey test were used (P < 0.05). ANOVA showed that there was no statistically significant difference in color change between the 2 materials after thermocycling (∆E1) or after disinfection (∆E2), regardless of the disinfectant. Intragroup comparisons (Listerine, liquid soap, and 2% chlorhexidine) of the 3 PETG/TPU groups or 3 PETG groups after disinfection revealed no statistically significant difference for microhardness. Comparison of PETG/TPU with PETG based on the overall mean microhardness showed that the PETG/TPU had a significantly greater mean surface hardness value (P < 0.05). The Tukey test revealed statistically significant increases in microhardness at T1 and T2 for PETG/TPU and PETG so that T0 < T1 < T2 (P < 0.05). Both thermoplastic materials demonstrated an increase in hardness after thermocycling and after disinfection, and both showed similar color changes regardless of the disinfection method. Based on the color evaluation, the liquid soap proved to be the best option for disinfection of PETG/TPU and PETG, because the color change (∆E* value) was clinically acceptable for both materials.